Fredericksburg District

We are 74 United Methodist congregations with one uniting vision. Our congregations, ministry settings, and people are very diverse but our passion is to Make Disciples.

We seek to Make Disciples through four entry points: Unity, Spiritual Formation, Empowering Our Laity, and through Mission ministry in our neighborhoods, throughout our Conference, and around the world. We value lay and clergy as equal and effective partners in ministry.

Most importantly, we invite you to connect with one of our congregations of ministries to grow deeper in faith and to transform the world for Jesus Christ.

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis is pleased to announce three new district superintendent (DS) appointments effective July 1, 2019.

The Rev. Dr. Sarah L.K. Calvert, currently serving as the Bi-District (Alexandria and Arlington districts) coordinator of Church Revitalization and Leadership Development, will be the new district superintendent of the Arlington District. She will replace the Rev. Cathy Abbott who has served as the Arlington DS since 2013.

The Rev. Charles F. Bates, currently serving as lead pastor at Fishersville UMC on the Staunton District, will be the new district superintendent of the Rappahannock River District. He will replace the Rev. Dr. Ted Smith who has served as the Rappahannock River DS since 2011.

The Rev. Denise P. Bates, currently serving as the lead pastor at Cave Spring UMC on the Roanoke District, will be appointed to serve as the new district superintendent for both the Danville and Farmville districts. On the Danville District she will replace the Rev. Dr. Janine Howard and on the Farmville District she will replace the Rev. Bob Parks. Both have served their districts since 2011.

In this new model, Bishop Lewis will also appoint an assistant to the DS for each district. Those part-time positions will be announced at a later date.

Please join Bishop Lewis in giving thanks for these servants and pray for all involved in these transitions.

Ted Smith named

Director of Connectional Ministries

Bishop Sharma D. Lewis is pleased to announce the new Director of Connectional Ministries appointment effective July 1, 2019.

The Rev. Dr. Theodore Smith, currently serving as the district superintendent of the Rappahannock River District, will be the new Director of Connectional Ministries. Smith will replace the Rev. Marc Brown who will leave the Extended Cabinet having faithfully served as the Director of Connectional Ministries since 2008.

Please join Bishop Lewis in congratulating these servants for their diligent hard work in the Virginia Annual Conference.

Youth Leaders & Pastors:

Please save the date for the next Rappahannock River District Youth Retreat:

April 5 - 7, 2019.

Cost will be $100 per student and the retreat will be at Camp Piankatank.

We are pleased to announce that Lay Servant Training will be offered at Warsaw UMC on May 3 & 4, 2019. Classes will include the Basic Course, Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts, Polity in the UM Church, Leading Worship, and Intentional Discipleship Making.

If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Lay Servant Ministries, Dottie Garrison, at 703.403.8953 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..